Phase I of the Native Plant Center project is well on its way with the construction of a Welcome Center, the first of three buildings planned for the site on South Padre Island. The Welcome Center was constructed with funds from the Cameron County Coastal Impact Assistance Program. The next phase will focus on landscaping and garden design (see Plant Center Update), and as future funds permit two additional buildings, an educational and plant production center.

The Native Plant Center launched a capital campaign to reach out to the South Padre Island community for help with its growth. "The plant center is a nonprofit community project that will further enhance SPI as an ecotourism destination and benefit everyone that serves and relies on the island's tourism economy," said Thor Lassen of Ocean Trust. "We need and do want community involvement as we continue its development," Vacation Villas of SPI is the latest plant center sponsor with a tax-deductible contribution. See sponsorship needs here.